Over 1,000 people packed into the Tilbury Cruise Terminal tonight to voice their anger at proposals for a new Thames crossing coming through Thurrock.

In attendance were Thurrock MPs Jackie Doyle-Price and Stephen Metcalfe, with the former coming in for heavy fire from residents after being accused of not supporting their protests.

The public meeting was held by Thurrock Council to give residents and businesses the chance to quiz councillors, MPs and Highways England officials over the proposed crossing.

The two MPs took opposite stances at the meeting, with Mr Metcalfe openly throwing his weight behind the ‘No’ campaign, whilst Ms Doyle-Price said residents needed to be “realistic” about what was coming.

Around half the audience stood and turned their backs on the MP at one point in the meeting, holding their ‘No’ placards aloft, as well as chanting ‘Off! Off!’

Highways England representatives Martin Potts and Rob Audsley were also booed.

In contrast, Mr Metcalfe, Council Leader John Kent, and resident spokesman George Abbott, from the Thames Crossing Proposals Facebook group, received cheers and standing ovations for their speeches.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “I know what I am going to say is going to be unpopular, but I am your Member of Parliament and part of my job is to show leadership,” to which the crowd shouted “No!”

Ms Doyle-Price added that she was “not prepared to be banging my head against a brick wall when I am fighting for the best possible outcome for Thurrock.”

In contrast, Mr Metcalfe said he had a “fundamental opposition” to the options being put forward, and “didn’t believe” they would tackle existing crossing problems.

Residents repeatedly called for Option D to be put back on the table.

Speaking for Highways England, Mr Audsley said: “I recognise a lot of people in the audience are champing for Option D, but it does next to nothing to relieve the congestion at the Dartford Crossing.”

Mr Metcalfe said it was time to “shake” Highways England “out of their complacent view with facts.”

One resident stood and said: “I remember when the M25 was proposed and it was said it would alleviate congestion. Now everything is worse.

“Thurrock is becoming the dumping ground of England.”

Residents also complained that the consultation documents had not been sent to all households, and that more meetings not in the daytime were not being held.

Resident spokesman George Abbott said he did not believe 'thousands' of letters went out.

To a cheer, he said: "I haven't seen a single letter from Highways England, but a lorry driver from Poland gets an email because they haven’t paid the Dart Charge."

Mr Kent closed the meeting by saying the MPs should go back to parliament and demand Option D was put back on the table.

He said: “If Option A is back on the table then so should Option D be. The answer is to stop this consultation now, the Secretary of State should end the confusion and do the job properly.”

For a blow-by-blow account of how the evening progressed, check out the Gazette’s live blog.

Residents who wish to register for the public consultation should visit: http://www.lower-thames-crossing.co.uk/